Coleman takes first steps on road to recovery

Seamus Coleman began his rehabilitation from the double leg break he suffered last month when he returned to Finch Farm this week.

The fullback has been spending time with his family in Ireland after the horrific injury that ended his season and will likely keep him out of action until late in the year at least.

True to his character, Coleman said he was keen to get back to Merseyside to start the first exercises to start strengthening his leg and admits he is ready for the challenge of getting back to his best.

"I'm a fighter and there's a part of me that's looking forward to this challenge," Coleman told evertontv.

"I've started with very small exercises in the gym. I've been doing some walking in the pool and aqua-jogging.

"It's just good to be back in and around the club and feeling like a professional footballer again.

"It was great to be around my family and friends back home but I've been itching to get back. It's small steps but I'm ready to work.

"I'm really enjoying it and looking forward to the challenge ahead because it's going to be tough but I've had tough journeys before and this is just another one."
In related news, Neil Taylor, the Wales defender whose reckless challenge led to Coleman's broken leg, has had his automatic one-match ban increased to two games on review by Fifa's disciplinary committee.

In a statement, the Football Association of Wales said: “Following a meeting of Fifa's disciplinary committee, the FAW can confirm that Neil Taylor has been suspended for two matches. He is regarded as having breached Article 48 of the Fifa disciplinary code.”

Reader Comments (46)

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Steve Ferns 1Posted
26/04/2017 at
19:38:19

He's such a great guy. I hope he's back to his best and soon.

Stan Schofield 2Posted
26/04/2017 at
19:40:52

As the old saying goes, when the going gets tough the tough get going. Get back to full fitness soon Seamus.

Colin Glassar 3Posted
26/04/2017 at
19:53:02

Great news. Get back soon, Seamus lad.

James Marshall 4Posted
26/04/2017 at
19:54:39

I just read that Neil Taylor has been banned for 2 International matches for the tackle as well.

Paul Birmingham 5Posted
26/04/2017 at
19:58:21

Great news, a speedy recovery Seamus!

James Flynn 6Posted
26/04/2017 at
20:21:34

We never know how any individual's body heals.

If Seamus is back in the side before next season ends, I'll be surprised.

Delighted, But surprised.

Declan Martin 7Posted
26/04/2017 at
20:32:08

Neil Taylor gets a two match ban for a vicious career-threatening tackle.

Joey Barton gets 18 months for having a bet.

Brian Abbsey 8Posted
26/04/2017 at
20:42:13

Declan,

I take your point totally but Joey had more than 'a bet'.

Great to see Coleman back in light training. By the time he gets back in the team, let's hope hes got a few more high-calibre team mates.

Ian Bennett 9Posted
26/04/2017 at
21:07:24

Barton had 15,000 bets in ten years. He's clearly an addict. His ban is way over the top in comparison to drug violations that others have had. A break of the rules, but what factor compared to Suarez or Keane who set out to cripple Haaland?

Brian Abbsey 10Posted
26/04/2017 at
21:19:45

Ian @ 9,

Keane and Suarez are virtually animals who think uncontrolled violence is in some way commendable.

The Barton ban is strange, but placing so many bets in your own sport does have a bit of a whiff to it. In any case, looking at the names at the start of this post, his tackles aren't in bad company!

Peter Gorman 11Posted
26/04/2017 at
21:39:44

Barton bet against his own team, hence the ban.

Anyhoo, great to have Seamus back over.

Eugene Ruane 12Posted
26/04/2017 at
21:40:52

Tough road ahead for Seamus, but if anyone has the will, strength and determination, it's this lad.

I expect to see him back sooner rather than later, ploughing up and down the right once more and giving his guaranteed 100%.

Colin Glassar 13Posted
26/04/2017 at
21:43:40

One thing is having a flutter, another thing is match-fixing which Joey hasn't done. Michael Owen betted on anything that moved and he never got punished. I think Joey is a victim of his own reputation.

Peter Gorman 14Posted
26/04/2017 at
21:50:13

Don't want to derail this thread but all the below taken from the Beeb;

"Between 2004 and 2011 Barton said that he also placed several bets on his own team to lose matches but added he was not involved in the match-day squad in any of those instances.

"I had no more ability to influence the outcome than had I been betting on darts, snooker, or a cricket match in the West Indies," said Barton. "On some of those occasions, my placing of the bet on my own team to lose was an expression of my anger and frustration at not being picked or being unable to play."

He might not have been on the pitch to influence the outcome but my God that is a hard one to expect the FA to swallow. A total no, no.

In any case, why are we even discussing Joey Barton?

As for Seamus, these days the medical staff within football make minor miracles happen all the time with serious injuries. I've no idea what aqua-jogging is but I'd wager a month after my broken leg I'd still be wallowing in my dressing-gown.

Colin Glassar 15Posted
26/04/2017 at
21:54:00

To be fair, Joey did the same when he was with Rangers. He's a sick lad who needs sympathy or he could end up a wino or worse.

Chris Williams 16Posted
26/04/2017 at
21:59:16

Sleep well tonight, Seamus, and welcome back home.

Sleep well, Tony Kay.

Jim Hardin 17Posted
26/04/2017 at
22:18:01

Good news regarding Coleman. Hope he gets back fully fit sooner than later.

As for Barton, well that narrows the competition for Barkley to be the best midfielder north of London to have a last name beginning with "Bar." Ashley Barnes is still in the running though

Mark Andersson 18Posted
26/04/2017 at
22:22:33

More players like Seamus need to be brought in or promoted. True professional understands the fans and appreciates his position.

Good luck, Seamus.

Darren Hind 19Posted
26/04/2017 at
22:43:11

That is welcome news, Seamus is going to need all his fighting qualities. It's a long road.

Mike Rees 20Posted
26/04/2017 at
22:49:32

Great that Seamus is back at Finch Farm. Don't give a monkey's about Joey Barton's situation which he will have to deal with himself; but wish Seamus all the best with the really hard task of getting back to the type of player we all know he was and can be again .

Declan Martin 21Posted
26/04/2017 at
23:11:57

Mike (#20) has it right.

Go on, Seamie!

Mike Gaynes 22Posted
26/04/2017 at
23:12:58

Plugging Joey Barton into a thread on Seamus Coleman is like inserting Mel B into a Kate Upton article. Some things are just wrong.

All the best, Seamus.

Brian Williams 23Posted
26/04/2017 at
23:15:34

If Seamie needs any inspiration (which he definitely won't) he could do worse than watch "Paragon", the story of Andy Grant, a kopite (which I can actually forgive him for haha) who embodies everything good about the human spirit and a person's ability to overcome real adversity.

Graham Mockford 24Posted
26/04/2017 at
23:19:52

I suspect if there was ever a player who could mentally cope with such a serious injury it's Seamus.

He also said "until something like this happens you don't always realise how fortunate you are to play for this Club"

Sounds like a lifer now.

He may have to adjust his game, maybe even further forward, but hopefully he can come back to something like the player he was. He certainly has the mental strength.

Eddie Dunn 28Posted
27/04/2017 at
09:13:00

Really good to see pictures of Seamus at Finch Farm, and looking so bright. I hope that he enjoys being back at work and has a successful recuperation. A nicer person you surely won't find anywhere.

Sam Hoare 29Posted
27/04/2017 at
09:37:49

What a hero. Hope the recovery goes well Seamus and we see you back sooner rather than later.

Brian Furey 30Posted
27/04/2017 at
10:14:05

I was chatting to a man who knows a lot about these type of injuries and he was saying that the players attitude will determine how well he does with his comeback.

You would imagine Seamus will have a good strong attitude and work hard to get back. All the best, Seamy.

Barb Ellis 31Posted
27/04/2017 at
10:44:16

I was there to witness Seamus playing in what was I think was his first appearance for the club. It was a pre-season friendly, please excuse the memory lapse if this is incorrect. I think we were playing Bury. Well, we watched this young lad come on to the pitch, and bomb down the wing at an electric pace. "Whoa... what's THAT?" our crowd exclaimed, all very impressed. Well we have been impressed ever since.

All the best, Seamus, a speedy recovery is wished for you.

Trevor Lynes 32Posted
27/04/2017 at
11:49:07

The support for Barton is strange considering Tony Kay was banned for ever for doing the same thing.

Kay actually was MotM in the match he bet on, which is another equally strange situation.

Matthew Williams 33Posted
27/04/2017 at
13:33:56

Top bloke, our Seamus... the kind of player that truly deserves a Winners medal!

Anto Byrne 34Posted
27/04/2017 at
16:29:58

He is back on his feet quick. I wonder what magic they performed on his leg?

My missus broke her wrist at Xmas and it still ain't healed up. Reckon on a year or so. Imagine that we won't see Seamus in blue for about 18 months.

Gregory Kelly 35Posted
27/04/2017 at
22:01:45

Keep it going, Seamus, we are missing you a whole lot.

Mark Siddons 36Posted
28/04/2017 at
05:16:19

Get well soon, Seamus. Missing you. The perpetrator gets a two-game ban... surely in cases like this where it is so obvious he should be banned until Seamus is back playing again?

Gerry Ring 38Posted
28/04/2017 at
07:44:23

I can't wait to have Seamie back. Definitely should be made captain. It's very obvious how much he loves the club & this was demonstrated by his huge determination when playing. It augers well for his rehabilitation. Can you imagine Goodison for his first game back?????

Frank Bortoli 39Posted
28/04/2017 at
12:17:18

Why are we talking about Joey Barton in this thread?

Not only do we want Seamus back but we want him back as captain.

Speedy recovery, Seamus.

Patrick Eimsman 40Posted
28/04/2017 at
13:51:16

Mike (#22). Pissed myself laughing here in the office.

James Marshall 41Posted
29/04/2017 at
00:38:48

Aqua jogging is running underwater without touching the bottom of the pool - it's not particularly new but has zero impact.

I can't remember how long Oviedo was out for with a similar break, but I'm sure he was available again with a year.

Anyway, great to see Seamus on The Everton Show talking about how determined he was to get back, and how it won't affect his play: a true legend in the making, and hopefully given the armband as soon as Jags calls it a day at Goodison Park.

Michael Kenrick 43Posted
29/04/2017 at
05:00:42

You're right, Mick. Bryan was back playing in September 2014 after breaking his leg in January against Stevenage. But he really wasn't up to snuff for a long, long time thereafter (if ever), with a succession of other injuries, especially hamstrings.

Just such a horrible thing to happen to such a great bloke. I still get beyond how it happened in such a nonsensical fashion. Makes me more certain than ever there is no god.

Will Mabon 44Posted
29/04/2017 at
06:59:26

Seamus is young, fit, will receive the best treatment, and take in the very best food and supplements.

With that all taken care of, the rest is down to luck of genetics. Even in the best circumstances, the rate at and extent to which people heal can vary surprisingly.

If he's suffered "Only" serious bone damage without heavy trauma to soft tissues and issues caused by swelling, he'll likely be just the same player he was. The biggest issue then is getting all the muscles, joints and tendons back into shape, balance and flexibility, in hand with carefully regaining the fitness, after a long lay off in professional sports terms. This varies a great deal from one player to the next, too.

I'm not a medical man but speak from personal experience and many points of comparison... all provided by football and motorbikes!

All being well, Seamus will be rocketing up and down the wing as well as ever. Hopefully it's just a matter of time.

Alexander Murphy 45Posted
02/05/2017 at
08:06:56

Just delighted for Seamus himself. He has the inner strength. Even, so getting back amongst teammates and staff must have raised his morale.

Just get well Seamus.

Steve Ferns 46Posted
05/05/2017 at
12:29:19

Great news to see the club have just got him to sign a new 5-year deal. It was agreed before the injury and Kenwright told him not to worry, the injury doesn't change anything and the contract is still there to sign. Whatever you think of Kenwright, that is a touch of class by Everton. It's things like this that must make the players realise they are at a special club.

Get back in blue soon Seamus.

Colin Glassar 47Posted
05/05/2017 at
12:54:37

This sounds like it was a deal that was on the table before the injury.

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